32 ans après l'attentat contre l'AMIA, l'acte central sera organisé en hommage aux victimes

The Asociación Mutual Israelita Argentina (AMIA) has filed a legal complaint with Argentine authorities, expressing frustration over the lack of progress in the judicial process surrounding the 1994 bombing of its headquarters in Buenos Aires. The attack, which killed 85 people and injured more than 300 others, remains one of the deadliest acts of terrorism in the country’s history. On Friday, July 17, the organization will hold a central commemorative ceremony marking the 32nd anniversary of the incident, calling for justice, truth, and memory. The event will take place at the rebuilt AMIA building located at Pasteur 633 in the Once neighborhood, beginning at 9:53 a.m., the exact time the bomb detonated. A siren will sound to mark the moment of the explosion, as part of the traditional remembrance ritual. The ceremony is being organized jointly by AMIA, the DAIA (Delegación de Asociaciones Israelitas Argentinas), and the Families of Victims of the Attack. This year, the date was moved forward by a day because the actual anniversary falls on the start of the Jewish Sabbath, which begins on Friday. The event will feature speeches, cultural activities, and a call for continued investigation into the case, which has yet to result in convictions against those responsible, both materially and intellectually. Despite the passage of nearly three decades since the attack, the case continues to be pursued by Argentine courts, having been classified as a crime against humanity and deemed non-prescribable under international law. President Javier Milei will attend the official proceedings, arriving at the site at 9:45 a.m., shortly before the formal start of the ceremony. In recent days, Milei has reiterated his acknowledgment of the significance of the Jewish community in Argentina, emphasizing that the attacks on the Israeli Embassy in 1992 and the AMIA in 1994 remain indelible marks on the nation's historical narrative. His presence underscores the political dimension of the commemoration, even as the families of victims continue their long-standing demand for justice. As part of the commemorations, AMIA unveiled a new mural titled “Pasteur 9.52,” created by artist Lucas Lasnier, known as Parbo. The artwork depicts the façade of the original AMIA building exactly one minute before the explosion. Measuring five meters by eight meters, the mural was painted directly onto the reconstructed building’s exterior and includes fragments of stone from the original structure built in 1945. The piece serves both as a tribute to the past and a reminder of the fragility of life and memory. In addition to the mural, AMIA presented a video titled “Today We Cannot Lose Our Memory,” directed by Lucas Fossati and narrated by actor Federico D’Elía. The film uses a modified version of the well-known football chant “Muchachos” to honor the lives cut short by the attack. It highlights personal stories and aspirations of those who were lost, aiming to keep their legacies alive through collective remembrance. Another key element of the commemoration is the ongoing presentation of the theatrical production “La Silla Vacía,” which gathers testimonies from family members of victims and survivors. Written by Sol Levinton and featuring narration by Ricardo Darín, the play offers a poignant reflection on the emotional and psychological scars left by the tragedy. Through these artistic expressions, the event seeks to maintain public awareness and pressure on the judiciary to deliver justice for the victims. The anniversary gathering brings together relatives of the deceased, community leaders, and representatives from various sectors of society, reinforcing the shared commitment to seeking accountability for the attack that profoundly altered Argentina’s national identity. While the legal process remains unresolved, the annual ceremonies serve as a powerful reminder of the enduring need for truth and justice in the face of historical trauma.